U.S. patent application number 10/500607 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-02 for foldable plates-system, useful as a window or a shutter.
This patent application is currently assigned to ROLLTEC EUROPE. Invention is credited to Yedidya, Hagai.
Application Number | 20050115686 10/500607 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 11075920 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050115686 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yedidya, Hagai |
June 2, 2005 |
Foldable plates-system, useful as a window or a shutter
Abstract
The invention relates to a system made of plates-string capable
to be folded by pushing the first plate (10) of said plates-string
while the last (12) plate is blocked and capable to be unfolded by
pulling the first plate (10) of said plates-string while the last
plate (12) is blocked. Windows, or shutters, made of wings string
that is capable to be folded into a small case or to be unfolded
from is also disclosed. The invention additionally relates to a
method for folding and unfolding wings of a window or a
shutter.
Inventors: |
Yedidya, Hagai; (Kiryat-Ata,
IL) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FRISHAUF, HOLTZ, GOODMAN & CHICK, PC
767 THIRD AVENUE
25TH FLOOR
NEW YORK
NY
10017-2023
US
|
Assignee: |
ROLLTEC EUROPE
2, Kazenelson St.
Jerusalem
IL
92621
|
Family ID: |
11075920 |
Appl. No.: |
10/500607 |
Filed: |
January 21, 2005 |
PCT Filed: |
December 29, 2002 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/IL02/01051 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
160/202 |
Current CPC
Class: |
E06B 9/0676 20130101;
E06B 9/0638 20130101; E06B 2009/583 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
160/202 |
International
Class: |
E05D 015/16 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Jan 2, 2002 |
IL |
147439 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A system, said system is made of plates-string capable to be
folded by pushing the first plate of said plates-string while the
last plate is blocked and capable to be unfolded by pulling the
first plate of said plates-string while the last plate is blocked,
said system comprised of: (a) a plurality of plates arranged in a
plates-string column, wherein two side-edges of each said plate are
along said column and two match-edges of each said plate are
matching the previous and the next plates of the column, each of
said plates includes: (i) two rails, said rails are located
longitudinally to both said side-edges; (ii) two fixed-pines, each
of said fixed-pines is installed perpendicular to the end of each
said side-edges; and (iii) two moveable-pines, each of said
moveable-pines is installed perpendicular to each said rail of said
side-edge and able to move along said rail; and (b) a plurality of
connecting-shims, said connecting-shims are for connecting said
plates of said column, wherein each of said plates is connected to
the next plate by means of two said connecting-shims each on each
side-edge, wherein first side of said connecting-shim is pivotally
joined to said fixed-pin of a plate and the other side of said
connecting-shim is pivotally joined to said moveable-pin of the
next plate.
2. The system of claim 1, further includes: (c) a case, located
beside the blocked end of said plates-string, enables said
plates-string to be folded in and to be unfolded from; and (d) two
guide-tracks each in each side of said plates-string, said
guide-tracks are for bordering and guiding said plates-string while
folding and unfolding, wherein said guide-tracks are open in the
last section to enable said plates-string to be folded to said case
and to be unfolded from.
3. The system of claim 1, in a vertical position, further includes:
(e) two flexible pulling means, such as a band or a cable,
connected to each side-edges of the lowest plate of said system and
enables to pull-up said lowest plate to fold said system; and (f)
two drums, located in the top of said system, wherein part of said
flexible pulling means are rolled on said drums enabling pulling
said flexible pulling means by rotating said drums.
4. The system of claim 3, further includes: (h) at least one
coil-spring installed in at least one of said drums, wherein said
coil-spring is stretched when unfolding said system and provides
helping force when folding said system.
5. The system of claim 3, further includes: (i) a motor, said motor
is connected to said drums and is used for rotating said drums in
order to fold or unfold said system.
6. The system of claim 1, wherein said match-edges are
inclined-edges, said incline-edges enable said last blocked plate
to be pushed aside by a previous plate.
7. The system of claim 1, wherein said moveable-pin has a mechanism
operative for: (a) locking said movable-pin to said rail and
prevents said moveable-pin movement, when the position of said
connecting-shim is parallel along the edge of the connected-on
plate; and (b) by releasing said locking and enables said
moveable-pin movement, when said connecting-shim rotates to a
predetermined angle in relation to said plate.
8. The system of claim 1, wherein at least part of said plates are
windows' wings.
9. The system of claim 1, wherein at least part of said plates are
shutters' slats.
10. a window or a shutter, said window or shutter is made of
wing-string capable to be folded by pushing the first wing of said
wing-string while the last wing is blocked and capable to be
unfolded by pulling the first wing of said wing-string while the
last wing is blocked, said window or shutter comprised of: (a) a
plurality of wings arranged in a wings-string column, wherein two
side-edges of each said wing are along said column and two
match-edges of each said wing are matching the previous and the
next wings of the column, each of said wings includes: (i) two
rails, said rails are located longitudinally to both said
side-edges; (ii) two fixed-pines, each of said fixed-pines is
installed perpendicularly on the end of each said side-edges; and
(iii) two moveable-pines, each of said moveable-pines is installed
perpendicularly on each said rail of said side-edge and able to
move along said rail; and (b) a plurality of connecting-shims, said
connecting-shims are for connecting said wings of said column,
wherein each of said wings is connected to the next wing by means
of two said connecting-shims each on each side-edge, wherein first
side of said connecting-shim is pivotally joined to said fixed-pin
of a wing and the other side of said connecting-shim is pivotally
joined to said moveable-pin of the next wing.
11. The window or the shutter of claim 10, further includes: (c) a
case, located beside the blocked end of said wings-string, enables
said wings-string to be folded in and to be unfolded from; and (d)
two guide-tracks each in each side of said wings-string, said
guide-tracks are for bordering and guiding said wings-string while
folding and unfolding, wherein said guide-tracks are open in the
last section to enable said wings-string to be folded to said case
and to be unfolded from.
12. The window or the shutter of claim 10, in a vertical position,
further includes: (e) two flexible pulling means, such as a band or
a cable, connected to each side-edges of the lowest wing of said
window or shutter and enable to pull-up said lowest wing to fold
said window or said shutter; and (f) two drums, located in the top
of said window or shutter, wherein part of said flexible pulling
means are rolled on said drums enabling pulling said flexible
pulling means, by rotating said drums.
13. The window or the shutter of claim 12, further includes: (h) at
least one coil-spring installed in at least one of said drums,
wherein said coil-spring is stretched when unfolding said window or
said shutter and provides helping force when folding said window or
said shutter.
14. The window or the shutter of claim 12, further includes: (i) a
motor, said motor is connected to said drums and is used for
rotating said drums in order to fold or unfold said window or said
shutter.
15. The window or the shutter of claim 10, wherein said match-edges
are inclined-edges, said incline-edges enable said last blocked
wing to be pushed aside by a previous wing.
16. The window or the shutter of claim 10, wherein said
moveable-pin has a mechanism operative for: (a) locking said
movable-pin to said rail and prevents said moveable-pin movement,
when the position of said connecting-shim is parallel along the
edge of the connected-on wing; and (b) by release of said locking
and enables said moveable-pin movement, when said connecting-shim
rotates to a predetermined angle.
17. A method for folding and unfolding wings of a window or a
shutter, wherein each time two of the wings are taking place in a
circulatory action, said circulatory action includes: (a) placing
two wings, first wing on top of second wing, wherein matching edges
of said wings are inclined; (b) installing rails on both sides of
each wing; (c) installing a fixed-pin in the upper end of each side
of each wing; (d) installing a movable-pin on each said rails, said
moveable-pin able to move along the rail; (e) connecting between
wings by two connecting-shims, a connecting-shim in each side,
wherein one said of the connecting-shim is pivotally connected to
the fixed-pin of the second wing and the other side is pivotally
connected to said movable-pin of said first wing; (f) preventing
vertical movement of said first wing and pushing up said second
wing to push aside the lower part of said first wing; (g)
continuing pushing up said second wing for slide said second wing
along said first wing to straighten said first wing beside said
second wing, while said connecting-shim drags said movable-pin up
along said rail; and (h) for unfolding, pulling said second wing
back.
18. The method of claim 17, wherein said circulatory action is done
horizontally.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a plate-system that is
capable to be folded or to be unfolded and a method wherein the
plate-system can be of use. More specifically, the present
invention relates to windows, or shutters, made of wings string
that is capable to be folded into a small case or to be unfolded
from.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Various systems and apparatuses for closing passages and
windows or for surface covering are known, including wing windows,
roll-up blinds, roller shades and others. These designs are
particularly disadvantageous in that they are complicated, have a
lack of sealing, and require a large space for opened wings or for
rolled slats. Moreover, roll-up blinds need thick cases to be
rolled into and moving windows need tracks for each wing one beside
the other, which make the windows look clumsy.
[0003] There is therefore a recognized need for, and it would be
highly advantageous to have, a foldable plates-system that is
useful as a window or a shutter that is simple, saves space,
provides better sealing and inexpensive relative to known
systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The present invention is a foldable plates-system that is
useful as a window or a shutter.
[0005] According to the teachings of the present invention there is
provided a system that is made of plates-string capable to be
folded by pushing the first plate of the plates-string while the
last plate is blocked and capable to be unfolded by pulling the
first plate of the plates-string while the last plate is blocked,
wherein the system is comprised of:
[0006] a plurality of plates arranged in a plates-string column,
wherein two side-edges of each plate are along the column and two
matching-edges of each plate are matching the previous and the next
plates of the column and each of the plates includes:
[0007] two rails, these rails are located longitudinally to both
side-edges;
[0008] two fixed-pines, each of the fixed-pines are installed
perpendicular to the end of each side-edges; and
[0009] two moveable-pines, each of the moveable-pines are installed
perpendicular to each rail of the side-edge and able to move along
the rail;
[0010] a plurality of connecting-shims, these connecting-shims are
for connecting the plates of the column, wherein each of the plates
is connected to the next plate by means of two connecting-shims
each on each side-edge, wherein first side of the connecting-shim
is pivotally joined to the fixed-pin of a plate and the other side
of the connecting-shim is pivotally joined to the moveable-pin of
the next plate;
[0011] a case, located beside the blocked end of the plates-string,
enables the plates-string to be folded in and to be unfolded from;
and
[0012] two guide-tracks each on each side of the plates-string,
these guide-tracks are for bordering and guiding the plates-string
while folding and unfolding, wherein the guide-tracks are open in
the last section to enable the plates-string to be folded to the
case and to be unfolded from.
[0013] By a preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of the
present invention in a vertical position, further includes:
[0014] two flexible pulling means, such as a band or a cable,
connected to each side-edge of the lowest plate of the system and
enables to pull-up the lowest plate to fold the system; and
[0015] two drums or cylinders, located in the top of the system,
wherein part of the flexible pulling means are rolled on the drums
enabling pulling the flexible pulling means by rotating the
drums.
[0016] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of
the present invention, in a vertical position, further
includes:
[0017] at least one coil-spring installed in at least one of the
drums, wherein the coil-spring is stretched when unfolding the
system and provides helping force when folding the system.
[0018] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of
the present invention, in a vertical position, further
includes:
[0019] a motor, this motor is connected to the drums and is used
for rotating the drums in order to fold or unfold the system.
[0020] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of
the present invention, wherein the matching-edges of the plates are
inclined-edges and the incline-edges enable the last blocked plate
to be pushed aside by a previous plate.
[0021] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of
the present invention, wherein the moveable-pin has a mechanism
operative for:
[0022] locking the movable-pin to the rail and prevents the
moveable-pin movement, when the position of the connecting-shim is
parallel along the edge of the connected-on plate; and
[0023] by releasing the locking mechanism and enables the
moveable-pin movement, when the connecting-shim rotates to a
predetermined angle in relation of said plate.
[0024] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system of
the present invention, wherein at least part of the plates are
windows' wings.
[0025] By another preferred embodiment, it is provided a system for
the present invention, wherein at least part of said plates are
shutters' slats.
[0026] By another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a
window or a shutter, this window or shutter is made of wing-string
capable to be folded by pushing the first wing of the wing-string
while the last wing is blocked and capable to be unfolded by
pulling the first wing of the wing-string while the last wing is
blocked and wherein the window or shutter which is comprised
of:
[0027] a plurality of wings arranged in a wings-string column,
wherein two side-edges of each the wing are along the column and
two matching-edges of each wing are matching the previous and the
next wings of the column, each of the wings includes:
[0028] two rails, these rails are located longitudinally to both
side-edges;
[0029] two fixed-pines, each of the fixed-pines are installed
perpendicularly on the end of each side-edges; and
[0030] two moveable-pines, each of moveable-pines are installed
perpendicularly on each rail of the side-edge and able to move
along the rail; and
[0031] a plurality of connecting-shims, these connecting-shims are
for connecting the wings of the column, wherein each of wings are
connected to the next wing by means of two connecting-shims each on
each side-edge, wherein first side of the connecting-shim is
pivotally joined to the fixed-pin of a wing and the other side of
the connecting-shim is pivotally joined to the moveable-pin of the
next wing.
[0032] By a preferred embodiment it is provided the window or the
shutter of the present invention, further includes:
[0033] a case, located beside the blocked end of the wings-string,
enables the wings-string to be folded in and to be unfolded from;
and
[0034] two guide-tracks each in each side of the wings-string,
these guide-tracks are for bordering and guiding the wings-string
while folding and unfolding, wherein the guide-tracks are open in
the last section to enable the wings-string to be folded to the
case and to be unfolded from.
[0035] By another preferred embodiment it is provided the window or
the shutter of the present invention, in a vertical position,
further includes:
[0036] two flexible pulling means, such as a band or a cable,
connected to each side-edges of the lowest wing of the window or
shutter and enable to pull-up the lowest wing to fold the window or
the shutter; and
[0037] two drums, located in the top of the window or shutter,
wherein part of the flexible pulling means are rolled on the drums
enabling pulling the flexible pulling means, by rotating the
drums.
[0038] By another preferred embodiment it is provided the window or
the shutter of the present invention, in a vertical position,
further includes:
[0039] at least one coil-spring installed in at least one of the
drums, wherein the coil-spring is stretched when unfolding the
window or the shutter and provides a helping force when folding the
window or the shutter.
[0040] By another preferred embodiment it is provided the window or
the shutter of the present invention, in a vertical position,
further includes:
[0041] a motor, this motor is connected to the drums and is used
for rotating the drums in order of folding and unfolding the window
or the shutter.
[0042] By another preferred embodiment it is provided the window or
the shutter of the present invention, wherein the matching-edges
are inclined-edges, these incline-edges enable the last blocked
wing to be pushed aside by a previous wing.
[0043] By another preferred embodiment it is provided the window or
the shutter of the present invention, wherein the moveable-pin has
a mechanism operative for:
[0044] locking the movable-pin to the rail and prevents the
moveable-pin movement, when the position of the connecting-shim is
parallel along the edge of the connected-on wing; and
[0045] by releasing the locking mechanism which enables the
moveable-pin movement, when the connecting-shim rotates to a
predetermined angle in relation to the wing.
[0046] By another aspect of the present invention, it is provided a
method for folding and unfolding wings of a window or a shutter,
wherein each time two of the wings are taking place in a
circulatory action, this circulatory action includes:
[0047] placing two wings, first wing on top of second wing, wherein
matching edges of the wings are inclined;
[0048] installing rails on both sides of each wing;
[0049] installing a fixed-pin in the upper end of each side of each
wing;
[0050] installing a movable-pin on each of rails, the moveable-pin
is able to move along the rail;
[0051] connecting between wings by two connecting-shims, a
connecting-shim in each side, wherein one side of the
connecting-shim is pivotally connected to the fixed-pin of the
second wing and the other side is pivotally connected to the
movable-pin of the first wing;
[0052] preventing vertical movement of the first wing and pushing
up the second wing, this pushes aside the lower part of the first
wing;
[0053] continuing pushing up the second wing for slide the second
wing along the first wing to straighten the first wing beside the
second wing, while the connecting-shim drags the movable-pin up
along the rail; and
[0054] for unfolding, pulling the second wing back.
[0055] The circulatory action can be done either vertically or
horizontally.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES
[0056] The invention is herein described, by way of example only,
with reference to the accompanying drawings. With specific
reference now to the drawings in detail, it is stressed that the
particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of
illustrative discussion of the preferred embodiments of the present
invention only, and are presented in the cause of providing what is
believed to be the most useful and readily understood description
of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this
regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the
invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental
understanding of the invention, the description taken with the
drawings making apparent to those skilled in the art how the
several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.
[0057] In the figures:
[0058] FIG. 1 illustrates a side view of an embodiment of the
system and the folding of the system--step by step--when the
matching-edges are inclined.
[0059] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the connecting-shims and a
moveable-pin with a mechanism that enables an embodiment of the
system with non-inclined matching-edges.
[0060] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the system as a
window.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERED EMBODIMENTS
[0061] The present invention is a foldable plate-system. The
system, according to the present invention, is useful as a window.
In a preferred embodiment the system is in a vertical position and
the plates are windows' wings.
[0062] When the system is unfolded, the window is closed. Several
wings are placed one on top of other, wherein the highest wing is
located beside a case where the wings can be folded in and wherein
this wing is blocked from above. Preferably, there are tracks on
both sides to border and guide the movement of the wings, these
tracks are open in the case area and enable the wings to move aside
into the case. Each wing is connected to the next wing by means of
two shims--one in each side--wherein the slim is pivotally joined
to a fixed pin of one wing and to a moveable-pin of the next wing.
The movable-pins are installed on rails that are located along each
side of the wings and the moveable-pin is able to move along the
rail that it is installed on.
[0063] In a preferred embodiment, the match-edges of the wings are
inclined. To open the window the lowest wing is pushed up, by hands
or by any other mechanism, and a circulatory action is occurred to
the two wings, which are the highest at that time. The wings are
pushed up, the highest wing unable to move up but able to move
aside into the case. Since the matching-edges are inclined, the
bottom of the highest wing is pushed aside by the previous wing.
The previous wing continues to move up--sliding along the highest
wing while dragging the movable-pin along the rail and straightens
the highest wing inside the case.
[0064] The previous wing became the highest wing and the mechanism
is repeated and pushes the folded wings into the case. In the end,
all the wings are folded inside the case and the window is
open.
[0065] The principles and operation of the foldable plate-system,
according to the present invention, may be better understood with
reference to the drawing and the accompanying description.
[0066] Referring now to the drawing, FIG. 1 illustrates a side view
of an embodiment of the system and the folding of the system--step
by step--when the matching-edges are inclined. The figure shows one
side, and the other side of the system is built and operates in the
same way. In the figure three plates of the system, in a vertical
position, are shown. While the system is unfolded--FIG. 1-A--the
plates, which are the first and highest plate 10, the second plate
11 and bottom plate 12, are placed one on top the other and while
the first plate 10 is blocked 13 and a case 14 is located beside
it. Each plate side has a fixed-pin 15 in the upper end, a
movable-pin 16 and a rail 17 longitudinally that enables the
movable-pin 16 to move along it. The plates are connected--each
plate to the next one--by means of a shim 18. For example, the
first plate 10 is connected to the second plate 11 by a shim 18
that is pivotally joined to the fixed-pin 15 of the second plate 11
and pivotally joined to the movable-pin 16 of the first plate 10.
The second plate 11 is connected in the same way to the bottom
plate 12.
[0067] In order to fold the system--FIG. 1-B--the bottom plate 12
is pushed up, which pushes all the plates up along the track 20.
Since the first plate 10 cannot move up, the bottom of the first
plate 10 is pushed aside--by the pushing force and the inclined
edges 19--into the case 14.
[0068] Continually pushing--FIG. 1-C--leads the second plate 11
along the first plate 10 while the shim 18 drags the movable-pin 16
up along the rail 17. The elevation up of the second plate 11
straightens the first plate 10 inside the case 14.
[0069] In FIG. 1-D the second plate 11 arrives to the previous
position of the first plate 10 and the two plates arranged side by
side in the case 14. Now the second plate 11 is blocked 13 and the
bottom plate 12 pushes the second plate 11 and the same mechanism
is repeated to push and straighten the two previous plates 10 &
11 and finally all the plates are arranged side by side in the case
14, the system now is folded.
[0070] Pulling the bottom plate 12 down will reverse the actions
back and unfold the system.
[0071] FIG. 2 illustrates a side view of the connecting-shims and a
moveable-pin with an embodiment of the mechanism that enables the
system with non-inclined matching-edges. In FIG. 2-A the shim 18
connects one plate 10 to other plate 1-1 with a space 21 between
each to plates. The shim 18 is pivotally joined to the fixed-pin 15
of a plate 11 and to the movable-pin 16 of the next plate 10. The
movable-pin 16 is located on a rail 17 with an elliptic base that
has two far edges 22. A cross-section "aa" of the movable-pin 16
and the rail 17 shows the far edges of the movable-pin base 22
pushing the sides of the rail 17 and prevents movement the
movable-pin. In this embodiment each plate pushes the next plate by
the shims 18 while the moveable-pin 16 is blocked.
[0072] When the high plate 10 is blocked--FIG. 2-B--the pressure of
the low plate 11 pushes the high plate 10 aside. The shim 18
turning the movable-pin 16 and the far edges 22 of the movable-pin
base, releases the sides of the rail 17 and the movable-pin 16 is
able to move up with the low plate 11, dragged by the shim 18. The
low plate 11 slides along the high plate 10--FIG. 2-C.
[0073] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of the system as a window.
The shown window has three wings, the first wing (not shown), the
second wing 11 and the bottom wing 12. The wings are connected by
shims 18 and bordered and guided by two tracks 20, one on each
side. In order to open the window, the bottom wing 12 is pushed up
24. The whole wings are folded inside a case 14 according to the
mechanism that previously described. In order to close the window
the bottom wing 12 is pushed down 24.
[0074] In a preferred embodiment, two pulling-means 26--such
cables, bands or any other flexible pulling means--are connected to
the bottom wing 12, preferably by connection means 27. The pulling
means 26 enable to pull up the bottom wing 12, mechanically. The
pulling means 26 are partly rolled on two drums 25. The wings can
be pulled up or released down by rotating the drums 25.
[0075] The drums 25 can have a coil spring or springs (not shown)
that are stretched when closing the window down and provides a
helping force when opening the window up.
[0076] By another preferred embodiment, a motor 28 can be installed
in the window in order to rotate the drums 25 for electrical
closing or opening of the window.
[0077] As used herein in the specification and in the claims
section that follows, the term "plate" and the like refer to a
plurality of plate kind, such as windows' wing, shutters' slates
and any other kind of plates and the term "window" and the like
refer also to a shutter, blind or shade and vice versa.
[0078] Although the invention has been described in conjunction
with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many
alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to
those skilled in the art, accordingly, it is intended to embrace
all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall
within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *